Admission, discharge and other records, 1788-1890

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Microreproduction of original records housed at the Surrey Record Office, Kingston-upon-Thames.

High reduction microfilm (42X). Use high magnification reader.

These are the records of the Royal Philanthropic Society, organized in 1788 "for the admission of the offspring of convicts and the reformation of criminal poor children." This society housed, clothed, fed, schooled and apprenticed these children with the end goal that that they would become "useful members of society." While the records indicate that many boys absconded, the records of those who remained in "the reform" are extensive. Emigration was encouraged, and records exist of those who went to Canada, the U.S.A., Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Letters sent by the emigrants back to the Society and to others were transcribed and recorded in the "Letter Book," which also kept annual track of their whereabouts. The majority of the children were from the streets of London, but originated from all over Great Britain. In later years, many came from Cheshire. These late 19th century records also include a photograph of each boy (none of the girls was ever photographed). Most volumes include an index at the beginning, and the "Working ledger" includes, along with the name of each boy emigrant, the name of the ship on which he sailed, and his ultimate destination. Many of these children were the sons and daughters of a parent or parents transported to Australia.

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